ideally
adverb
ide·al·ly
ī-ˈdē-ə-lē 
-ˈdē(-ə)l-lē
1
b
: for best results
Ideally, the counselor should vary his techniques for each applicant …—
T. M. Martinez
T. M. Martinez
c
: in accordance with an ideal or typical standard : classically
2
: in relation to an exemplar
3
: in idea or imagination : mentally
… was afraid of the gallows. She was terrified of them ideally. Having never set eyes on that last argument of men's justice …—Joseph Conrad
Joseph ConradExamples of ideally in a Sentence
His skills made him ideally suited for the job.
They were ideally suited to one another.
The ski slope was situated ideally.
Recent Examples on the Web
And ideally, monitoring missions should be ready to go from Day 1, or as close to that as possible.
—Josefina Echavarria Alvarez, The Conversation, 3 Dec. 2025
Mainoo ideally wants regular football to make a late push for World Cup selection, while United would get a higher value for a potential summer sale if the 20-year-old puts a string a good performances together.
—Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 2 Dec. 2025
Often snowy and cozy, entirely comedic or lightly dramatic, action-packed but in a practical way, featuring generations of women, ideally originally released between September and November … and always best enjoyed on videotape by the fire.
—Alex Ross Perry, Vulture, 27 Nov. 2025
Although merry and bright, ideally, the holidays can spur frosty interactions that test relationships of any stage, whether that be at the Thanksgiving table or at the mall while gift shopping.
—Lex Goldstein, PEOPLE, 26 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ideally
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Josefina Echavarria Alvarez, The Conversation, 3 Dec. 2025
Mainoo ideally wants regular football to make a late push for World Cup selection, while United would get a higher value for a potential summer sale if the 20-year-old puts a string a good performances together.
—Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 2 Dec. 2025
Often snowy and cozy, entirely comedic or lightly dramatic, action-packed but in a practical way, featuring generations of women, ideally originally released between September and November … and always best enjoyed on videotape by the fire.
—Alex Ross Perry, Vulture, 27 Nov. 2025
Although merry and bright, ideally, the holidays can spur frosty interactions that test relationships of any stage, whether that be at the Thanksgiving table or at the mall while gift shopping.
—Lex Goldstein, PEOPLE, 26 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ideally
Cite this Entry
“Ideally.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ideally. Accessed 8 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ideally
adverb
ide·al·ly
ī-ˈdē-ə-lē
-ˈdē(-ə)l-lē
1
: in agreement with an ideal : perfectly
ideally suited to the job
2
: for best results
ideally, each student should arrive early
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